Ranco Temp Controller

sundog101 · Feb 26, 2016

So I'm not very tech savvy and for my biocube the only thing I want to control is temperature. I've read that the rancos are very reliable and was looking at the etc-111000. Has anyone had experience with this controller? Also do I need to buy a temp probe or does it come with one?
Thanks for the help!

jd371 · Feb 26, 2016

The Ranco is a very good controller. Wired it will cost you a little more than if you buy one that's not wired already. Doing it yourself is not hard just take a look at some videos on youtube. It does come with a temp probe, but it's not water proof, you'll have to make it water proof before putting it the tank. I have a Ranco and I have this one I bought from Amazon for the QT. It keeps the temp a steady 78 degrees, the only thing with this one is you can only set it in a 1 degree increment high or low, while If my memory is correct 30 with the Ranco.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LWSPE78?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00

jd371 · Feb 26, 2016

Ooops. I t looks like the one I bought from Amazon is no longer available.

AZDesertRat · Feb 26, 2016

Ranco and Johnson Controls are almost identical and extremely reliable. I used a Ranco for my reef and a Johnson for my beer keezer kegerator for years.

Lionfish Lair · Feb 26, 2016

I have 4 Rancos and they are about 15 years old.

mrtian97 · Jun 11, 2016

I have been using Ranco controller for my heater for abt 4 months (bought new from Ranco directly) model 111000. Today I saw that the display is showing 106 F but I know my water temp is only 79 F (I have a 2nd cheap digital thermometer) and all my corals and fish are normal. Any suggestions if there is reset button or the probe or the controller just went bad? I have also emailed Ranco

Thanks

sundog101 · Jun 11, 2016

Did you waterproof the probe? I've heard they can leak and give false readings if the probe is directly submerged.

mrtian97 · Jun 11, 2016

yep, I bought the probe already waterproofed by Ranco (the put on plastic sleeve around the probe and up so it's water tight

Lionfish Lair · Jun 11, 2016

I hadn't heard of something like that happening.

mrtian97 · Jun 11, 2016

after I left it air dry and unplug over night, I put the probe back into my water and the temp reading reduced to 81 (still about 3 degree higher than my tank's actual temp). I plan to leave it air dry longer. Is it possible there is leak in the plastic sleeve that caused misread? how do I fix this as the sleeve was made by Ranco directly

Thanks

Lionfish Lair · Jun 11, 2016

I wouldn't think it was the sleeve, because on one of mine, it's pretty much in shreds.

mrtian97 · Jun 11, 2016

Thanks, that means I better send this back to Ranco. I will wait for their reply on Monday. It was working flawlessly for the past 4 months

Lionfish Lair · Jun 11, 2016

Ya, hopefully yours was just an oddball one. Mine have been so solid for all these years, I hate to think quality has dropped off at all, as they have for so many things.

mrtian97 · Jun 14, 2016

anyone knows who mfg Ranco temp controller? I need to contact them for warranty issue. The online place that I bought this from has decided to go silent on me (left vmail, sent email with no reply)

thanks for your help, $100 spent for this thing and went bad in 4 months, frustrating

stunreefer · Jun 15, 2016

mrtian97 said:
anyone knows who mfg Ranco temp controller? I need to contact them for warranty issue.

Contact them direct here: Ranco North America, 8115 U.S. Rt. 42 N., Plain City, OH 43064; 614-873-9000; 614-873-3819 (fax).

mrtian97 · Jun 15, 2016

thanks much. For some reason I can not find their info when I google

jd371 · Jun 15, 2016

I had the same issue when I replaced the probe with a water proof one I bought off ebay. To fix it I had to add a resistor to the probe. I tested different resistors until I found the value that worked...I think it was either a 2k or 20k resistor.

jason2459 · Jun 15, 2016

I trust the Ranco over my controller and built in heaters thermostat.

I water proofed the temp probe by slathering silicone all over it.

mrtian97 · Aug 20, 2016

well, I sent in my Ranco to ETC supply (where I bought it), 1 month later, they said nothing wrong with the sensor or the controller and sent it back to me.
I tested last night and the controller still showing high temp than the actual. My tank temp is about 79-80, and the Ranco showing 100 after leaving it overnight. I unplugged it this morning and plug it back, now showing 86. Again, it was working for 2 months or so. it has the pvc thermalwell installed by ETC supply to make it water proof. any suggestion?
I already moved on to RKL controller but would like to sell this unit since it's practically new, but don't want to sell defective unit
Thanks